Monday, March 15, 2010

The Fabulous Festival in the City of Broken Dreams

Even though one of my friends referred to this town as the City of Broken dreams, I like it here, usually. I love to get out and hike, especially during the winter months. The sunsets here are unbeatable. We are close to some interesting places to visit.

But, sometimes, Tucson events leave a little to be desired. With a million people hanging around town, why do things often seem, well, lackluster?

Happily, this was not the case for the second annual Tucson Festival of Books. Over 450 authors, a myriad of Exhibitors, live entertainment, book signings, kids activities. The event was done exceptionally well.

The kids and I went down yesterday to take it in. The girls enjoyed hearing James A. Owens, the author of Here There Be Dragons, talk about his harrowing and entertaining experiences as an author and a chance to meet the author of The Sister's Grimm books.

This event, after only it's second year, is already one of the premiere book events in the nation. If you didn't catch it this year, be sure do come next year. We'll be there.

And one more thought. Professional writing can be full of set backs and, well, broken dreams. So, maybe it is fitting that Tucson, the City of Broken Dreams, is the place to have a festival of this nature.

And another thought. Doug Stanton talked of how the Special Forces are trained, not to succeed in all they do, but recover from failure quicker than anyone else. So, when your dreams are broken, how long does it take for you to get back at it?

About Me

After spending Ten years as a Pastor and Church Planter, James became involved in Law Enforcement and currently serves as a detective and a Chaplain for First Responders in Tucson, Arizona. He is also a board member with the Tucson Refugee Ministry.
Known for connecting with all ages using humor, engaging stories and personal examples, James will inspire you to grow your faith and your family while connecting with your culture and community.
When he is not working, you can find him hanging out with family and friends and hiking some of the local trails.

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What's in a Name?

Since a few have asked, "Why the name, 'Front Porch Fighter' ?", I will take a stab at answering it.

In times past, the predominant feature of most houses was the front porch. It was right out there in front and it used to be a gathering place for people from the neighborhood. Friends could come over and hang out, lovers could swing on the porch swing and moms would entertain with lemonade. The front porch was a place to get to know others and it signified a willingness and a desire to be in community.

The predominant feature on many homes built today is the garage. The garage is a place where you can pull your car in without anyone else having to talk to you or interrupt your schedule as you retreat into your private sanctuary. To me, the garage in front signifies a desire to live my own life and a kind of disconnect from the rest of the world.

While I appreciate some privacy and sanctuary, I feel that all too often, we are disconnected from the rest of the world and have lost a sense of community, which the home styles reflect. So, I am an advocate of the front porch....at least metaphorically speaking.